Honoring Southern Company Gas Employees’ Commitment to Serving Their Communities

Southern Company Gas Senior Integrity Analyst, Daniel Mayer, always wanted to serve his country in uniform. However, life's commitments and priorities often stood in the way. In 2012, Daniel discovered the Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF), the official state guard of Georgia. This organization presented a unique opportunity for him to serve his fellow Georgians during state emergencies or disasters while still staying with the company.

Daniel has volunteered hundreds of hours with GSDF, as well as other veterans' organizations, earning him the 2024 Southern Company Gas Luminary Award for outstanding volunteerism and service to our communities.

Our Luminary Award honors team members who demonstrate Southern Company Gas’ values and support our mission to be a catalyst for positive impact in our communities. Their efforts help expand on the good deeds of nonprofit partners across our service territory, and they serve as radiant lights within our workforce, inspiring others to get involved.

In addition to his work with the GSDF, Daniel has devoted much of his time to assisting veterans through Southern Company Gas’ employee resource group, VetNet, and working with organizations like Operation Homefront, where he’s led back-to-school fundraising drives providing children with school supplies. He has also volunteered with Soldiers’ Angels, distributing food at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Clinic.

“Daniel is a shining example of how one individual's dedication can have a profound impact on their community. His perseverance, innovative spirit and unwavering commitment remind us that we all can use our interests and talents to help our communities,” shared Serena Levy, president of the Southern Company Gas Foundation and vice president of Corporate Impact at Southern Company Gas. “The 2024 Luminary Award is a well-deserved recognition of Daniel's extraordinary contributions.”

Daniel, along with four other finalists, contributed nearly 1,000 volunteer hours across Southern Company Gas territories in Georgia, Illinois, Tennessee and Virginia. This year’s Luminary Award honorees' service helped address food insecurity, mentor children, empower women, rescue animals, protect our environment and provide disaster aid.

Honorees were chosen after a comprehensive review process by the Southern Company Gas Foundation board of directors. The recipients represent Southern Company Gas and its subsidiaries Atlanta Gas Light, Chattanooga Gas, Georgia Natural Gas, Nicor Gas and Virginia Natural Gas.

The Foundation contributed a $5,000 gift to the Association of the Georgia State Defense Force in Daniel’s honor and issued $1,000 gifts to nonprofit organizations selected by each finalist aligned with our giving pillars.

Southern Company Gas and its subsidiaries are focused on strengthening communities in the areas of social justice, economic mobility, environmental stewardship and community enrichment. In 2024, approximately 1,000 Southern Company Gas employees served more than 7,000 hours – nearly 300 days – in their communities.